Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle: Magpies extend their unbeaten run to FIFTEEN GAMES

Fifteen. Yes, 15 games without losing now for Eddie Howe and Newcastle.

In the 130-year history of this famous club, they have never gone 15 consecutive games without losing in the top flight until now.

For Howe himself, a career-high as the first English manager to go 15 unbeaten Premier League games this century.

The man who was out of work for 15 months after being relegated to Bournemouth in 2020 is now marching on European adventures with Newcastle.

And so, just 15 months after Saudi Arabia’s takeover, it’s the six points Newcastle are clear from fifth place that is perhaps the number that really matters in this most extraordinary turnaround.

It could have been an eight point difference if they had gone out on a limb and made their dominance count on this very cold afternoon in south London, but in the end, they had Nick Pope to thank after his marvelous save from Jean-Philippe Mateta ensured that his undefeated streak continued.

The last time the Magpies made this 255-mile trip to Selhurst Park in October 2021, they finished 19th that night and without a win all season. Only two players, Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson, remained in the starting eleven from that afternoon. How times have changed.

Patrick Vieira made four changes from the squad that drew at Selhurst Park in midweek against Manchester United, leaving out that night’s free-kick hero in Michael Olise. Despite Olise’s excellent form and his involvement in Palace’s last four Premier League goals, Vieira insisted that after back-to-back games against Chelsea and Man Utd, his team needed fresh legs.

However, it was the selection of Bruno Guimaraes for Newcastle that was the biggest surprise just six days after he left St James’ Park on crutches after spraining his ankle against Fulham.

Guimaraes started brimming with confidence, allowing plenty of time and constantly demanding the ball against the usual ‘We’ve got Bruno in the middle’ backdrop of the away supporters.

From the start, Newcastle found joy on their left flank by exploiting Joel Ward, but failed to make it worth their while.

On five minutes, Joe Willock stormed behind the Palace back line and fired a handsome delivery into the path of Miguel Almiron, who connected but was unable to direct the volley home as it crashed into the side netting. The visiting winger thought he had entered.

Sven Botman then found Joelinton, who dropped Joel Ward with alarming ease but his right hand went straight into the hands of Vicente Guaita.

At the half hour mark, Marc Guehi was lucky to avoid a second yellow after his earlier challenge on Botman. Palace’s center half dropped Callum Wilson, but Craig Pawson gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Newcastle persisted with much of Joelinton’s momentum and strike after a fight was stopped by Guaita from a corner, following a deflection from Tyrick Mitchell. VAR checked the hand but it would have been extremely hard if it happened.

Palace had a penalty shout out too soon after, but again Pawson made an excellent decision after Zaha went down on Kieran Trippier’s challenge, having found space between Botman and Schar.

The game increased in pace and lead as the half wore on with Jordan Ayew hitting Botman and Eberechi Eze then catching Almiron.

Palace had their own chance on the brink of half time. Eze’s delivery picked out an oncoming Chris Richards and connected sweetly but couldn’t keep his header down.

Newcastle have not conceded a first-half goal since August, but would have been slightly disappointed not to be up at half-time, despite their dominance on possession.

Assisted by England manager Gareth Southgate, Callum Wilson had a golden opportunity to equalize after the break, but his free header from a superb Trippier delivery went straight for Guaita.

Still, they hit the gate of the Palacio with Guimaraes firing a dangerous shot through the box and then Botman shooting wide from a corner, launched by Tripper. No player in the league has created more chances from set pieces this season than the right-back.

Zaha went down worryingly and Vieira triple-switched hoping to stop one-way traffic, bringing in Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Will Hughes. Hughes, in particular, helped Palace restore some semblance of control.

Howe responded by putting on last weekend’s hero in Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin, but it was Palace who came closest to breaking the tie, only to be denied by an impressive save from Pope, who finally sprang into action in the 73rd minute. . minute.

Mateta’s shot was deflected, but Pope produced a miracle hand to deflect the ball over the crossbar on his way to his 12th clean sheet of the season.

Isak had his moment to add three points again but his header went straight to Guaita and Newcastle still pushed. His 13th corner of the night was headed wide by Botman and with minutes remaining Saint Maximin’s shot at the far post deflected wide behind.

Amid the tension, Vieira made his debut for 17-year-old David Ozoh as he became Palace’s youngest Premier League player and the Palace faithful celebrated the final whistle.

Another hard-earned point and another reminder that in their day they can battle with the best this league has to offer. For Newcastle, their dream season continues.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Newcastle – Relive the minute-by-minute action as it happened at Selhurst Park with the Sportsmail live blog.